Apparatus and system for automatic activation and de-activation of water flow

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises an apparatus and system for automatic activation and de-activation of water flow to a sink, bathtub, shower, or similar plumbing fixture. It can be readily installed and operated safely using AC or DC power of varying voltage, even in locations in which electrical power sources are unreliable, inconsistent, or unstable. 
     One or more normally closed solenoid valves, activated by way of a capacitance-sensitive electronic switch, control water flow. The switch functions in response to contact by a part of the human body with one or more touch-sensitive pads, which are designed to be resistant to malfunctions associated with the buildup of soap and scum. 
     A programmable microprocessor periodically re-calibrates and resets the system to ensure accurate function and longevity. The manner and timing of water flow can be adjusted, and a by-pass is included to allow continued access to water in the event of power failure.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of fluid handling, particularly with respect to the control of water flow for sinks, baths, and showers.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditional faucets for sinks, baths, and showers rely on manually operated handles or knobs to activate and deactivate water flow. The drawbacks associated with such manual means of controlling the flow of water—the increased potential for transmission of disease associated with multiple users, the difficulty of use by persons with physical impairments, and the waste of water when valves are not properly and timely shut off—are well established.

Various devices allowing for the hands-free operation of water faucets have been developed in an attempt to address these issues. Many of these devices typically employ electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valves that are interposed between hot-water and cold-water inlets and outlets, often leading to a single mixing faucet.

Ordinarily, some sort of switch means is employed to allow hands-free activation and de-activation of the solenoids, thereby allowing a user to control the flow of water through the faucet or faucets. Among the various switch means employed are touch-sensitive switches that take advantage of the biological property of the human body to act as a good capacitor by storing electrical charge. In contrast to electromechanical switches that provide tactile feedback, such touch-sensitive switches have no moving mechanical parts. When a part of the human body touches a capacitance-triggered switch, the capacitance of an electrical circuit is increased and the circuit, detecting this difference, causes the switch to operate.

Existing devices utilizing capacitance-based touch-sensitive switches are prone to failure or diminished function more often than is desirable for a number of reasons. First, because their capacitance-based switches must be placed in and around the outlets through which the water flows for the convenience of the user—e.g., near sink faucets, shower heads, bath tub faucets—soap and scum accumulation can cause the switch to be triggered unintentionally at arbitrary times. Second, capacitance-based switches currently employed in these devices simply allow the capacitance of the circuit to dissipate over time, which can shorten the useful life of the switch and result in impaired performance due to continual changes in electrical resistance caused by variations in temperature, ambient humidity levels, corrosion, and other factors.

The placement of existing devices are generally limited because they are designed to function only in locations in which electrical power sources are reliable, consistent, stable, and safe. Most touch circuits require a 60-cycle power line to operate. Users in locations in which such power sources are unavailable are unable to take ready advantage of such devices. Moreover, these devices normally provide only a pre-established, static way of turning water flow on and off, i.e., touching the switch turns the water on and touching the switch again turns the water off. Frequently, however, those who would potentially benefit from such devices have special requirements that would militate in favor of controlling the way in which water flow was to be activated and de-activated, and how long that water flow would last.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new, improved, and long-lasting apparatus and system for hands-free activation and de-activation of water flow to a sink, bathtub, shower, or similar plumbing fixture that can be readily installed and operated safely even in locations in which electrical power sources are unreliable, inconsistent, or unstable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a lateral view of one embodiment of the apparatus and system reflecting the interconnection of a touch-sensitive pad and switch circuit board to solenoid valves(s) and water ports.

FIG. 2 is an overhead perspective of the switch circuit board illustrating one possible configuration of various elements thereon.

FIG. 3 is an electric diagram of one possible arrangement of various components regulating voltage for the switch components on the switch circuit board.

FIG. 4 is an electric diagram of one possible arrangement of various components for the switch on the switch circuit board.

FIG. 5 presents an overhead lateral view of an enclosure box housing the switch circuit board and the solenoid valve(s).

FIG. 6 presents a lower lateral perspective of an enclosure box, highlighting drainage outlets.

FIG. 7 is an overhead lateral perspective of the apparatus and system as it might be installed for use with a sink.

FIG. 8 illustrates in a lateral view one possible arrangement of the components of a touch-sensitive switch pad as mounted.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a water by-pass.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

1 120/240 volt AC lead

2 Ground for 120/240 volt AC lead

3 9-30 volt negative DC lead

4 9-30 volt positive DC lead

5 Switch circuit board

6 Touch-sensitive pad

7 Voltage input lead for first solenoid valve

8 Voltage input lead for second solenoid valve

9 Voltage output lead to first solenoid valve

10 Voltage output lead to second solenoid valve

11 Ground(DC)/Neutral(AC) lead from first solenoid valve

12 Ground(DC)/Neutral(AC) lead from second solenoid valve

13 First solenoid valve

14 Second solenoid valve

15 Threaded male connector(s)

16 Threaded female connector(s)

17 First water inlet port

18 Second water inlet port

19 First water outlet port

20 Second water outlet port

21 Split-winding step-down transformer

22 Linear regulator (IC1)

23 Dip switches (SW1) or similar timing control device(s)

24 Microcontroller (IC3)

25 Oscillator (IC2)

26 First low-signal dry-contact relay (K2)

27 Second low-signal dry-contact relay (K1)

28 Cable (RG-174 or similar)

29 Transistor (Q1)

30 First capacitor (C1)

31 Second capacitor (C2)

32 Third capacitor (C3)

33 Fourth capacitor (C4)

34 First diode (D1)

35 Second diode (D2)

36 Third diode (D3)

37 Fourth diode (D4)

38 Fifth diode (D5)

39 First resistor (R1)

40 Second resistor (R2)

41 Third resistor (R3)

42 Fourth resistor (R4)

43 5 DC positive volts

44 First COM (common) relay contact

45 Second COM (common) relay contact

46 First NO (normally open) relay contact

47 Second NO (normally open) relay contact

48 Enclosure box

49 Mounting surface for touch-sensitive pad

50 Insulation

51 Flat metal washer

52 Electric connector

53 Pressure metal washer

54 Holding nut

55 Threaded bolt

56 Drainage outlet(s)

57 Pipe(s)

58 T-connector(s)

50 ¼-turn ball valve(s)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention utilizes one or more electronic switches, the components of each of which are embedded on a circuit board, to open and close one or more control circuits capable of actuating one or more electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valves to activate and de-activate the flow of water from water inlet ports to water outlet ports. Each capacitance-sensitive switch functions in response to contact by a part of the human body with one or more touch-sensitive pads.

A lateral overall view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and system reflecting the interconnection of a touch-sensitive pad 6 and switch circuit board 5 to two solenoid valves 13, 14, each of which is interposed between water inlet ports 17, 18 and water outlet ports 19, 20 is presented in FIG. 1. While the solenoid valve(s) may be joined to the water ports 17, 18, 19, 20 using various forms of connectors, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the solenoid valve(s) have threaded male connectors 15 that are joined to companion threaded female connectors 16 attached to the various water ports 17, 18, 19, 20. Typically, but not always, the first solenoid valve 13 would control a source of hot water, while the second solenoid valve 14 would control a source of cold water.

Power to the switch may be supplied by a grounded alternating current (AC) of either 120 or 240 volts through the 120/240 volt AC lead 1 and ground lead 2 for the same. Additionally, the switch is designed to operate on direct current (DC) between 9 and 30 volts supplied by way of a positive DC lead 3 and a negative DC lead 4.

The one or more touch-sensitive pads 6 may be made of any number of good-conducting, corrosive-resistant metals, such as stainless steel. In one embodiment, a touch-sensitive pad 6 is wired to the switch circuit board 5 by means of an RG-174 or similar cable 28. When a part of the human body comes into contact with the touch-sensitive pad 6, this causes the switch to be activated, the accompanying capacitance-sensitive circuit closed, and thus, each solenoid valve 13, 14 to be energized. A touch-sensitive pad 6 can be positioned away from the switch circuit board 5 itself in a location convenient to a user, e.g., adjacent to, or, or within a sink or other plumbing fixture. One or more touch-sensitive pads 6 may be employed for the convenience of the user, e.g., one to control the flow of hot water and one to control the flow of cold water.

The system will accommodate the use of either AC- or DC-powered solenoid valves 13, 14. The power source for the solenoid valve(s) 13, 14 therefore may, but need not be, the same power source used for the components of the switch. The voltage for the solenoid valve(s) 13, 14 is first carried from input leads 7, 8 to the switch circuit board 6 via the COM contact(s) 44, 45 (see FIG. 4), then is output from the NO contact(s) 46, 47 (see FIG. 4) to the solenoid valve(s) 13, 14 by way of output leads 9, 10, allowing each solenoid valve 13, 14 to be energized when the switch is activated and the accompanying circuit closed. When energized, each normally closed solenoid valve 13, 14 opens to activate the flow of water. When de-energized, each solenoid valve 13, 14 closes.

One possible arrangement of various components of a switch circuit board 5 is illustrated in the overhead view presented by FIG. 2. As previously noted, the switch can be powered either by a 120 or 240 AC voltage source through a AC lead 1 and ground lead 2, or by a DC source operating at between 9 and 30 volts through separate positive and negative leads 3, 4. The incorporation of a split-winding step-down transformer 21 acts as a safety feature to avoid high-voltage AC current from migrating through the system and causing potential harm to the user. A linear regulator 22, such as an IC1 linear regulator, is employed to regulate the voltage to ensure a positive output of 5 volts 43 to the components of the switch.

It order to expand the range of power environments in which the apparatus and system will work, and take advantage of DC sources of power, a separate high-frequency, free-running, stable oscillator 25, such as an NE555 oscillator IC2, is employed in the capacitance-sensitive circuit. Normal oscillation, in one embodiment, typically runs about 270 KHz, but drops to about 100 KHz when a part of the human body comes into contact with the touch-sensitive pad 6, lowering the capacitance of the circuit.

When power is supplied to the system, a programmable microcontroller 24 with at least two memory storage registers, such as a microcontroller IC3, initializes and proceeds to determine the frequency of the oscillator 25 by taking two measurements to determine its period across a few microseconds. These values are placed into separate memory storage registers within the microcontroller 24 that, in the case of the IC3, would typically be registers SAMP1 and SAMP2. The values of these two measurements, taken milliseconds apart, are expected to be relatively close to one another. A pre-determined range of “allowable drift” values—in one embodiment, between 80 and 120 pulses—are incorporated within the computer code of the microprocessor 24 to enable it to evaluate its measurement of the frequency of the oscillator 25. If either of the two measurements of the oscillator 25 exceeds the range of acceptable drift values, the microcontroller 24 will presume an unacceptable level of instability is present and will reset the system.

As long as the measured frequency of the oscillator 25 does not exceed these pre-established values, the microprocessor 24 will take no action, other than to reset and recalibrate the system periodically. In one embodiment, this resetting and recalibration occurs approximately once every hour. Rather than simply allowing the capacitance of the apparatus and system to dissipate over time, and to compensate for changes in resistance due to temperature, humidity, corrosion, etc., by performing this periodic resetting and recalibration, the microprocessor 24 minimizes malfunctions that might cause the switch to engage at arbitrary times, and improves the longevity of the apparatus and system. When a part of the human body comes into contact with the touch-sensitive pad 6, however, the measured frequency of the oscillator 25 drops. If the net change in measurement of frequency exceeds a pre-established minimum (‘LO’) value—in one embodiment, this might be 15 pulses—then the microcontroller will proceed to take action based on the settings of the dip switches or similar timing control device(s) 23. Changes in the sensitivity of the touch-sensitive pad 6 can be made by adjusting the applicable range of acceptable drift values in the computer code of the microprocessor 24.

Dip switches 23 allow the apparatus and system to be flexibly adjusted with respect to the manner and timing of activation and de-activation of water flow. In one preferred embodiment, four side-actuated dip switches in a single unit, such as a C&K BP04K, may be employed. If the first dip switch is open (i.e., ungrounded) and the remaining three dip switches are open as well, then the microprocessor 24 will cause the low-signal dry-contact relay(s) 26, 27 to be activated and the solenoid valve(s) 13, 14 open, i.e., water is allowed to flow, only while a part of the human body is in contact with the touch-sensitive pad 6. As soon as the touch-sensitive pad 6 is no longer being touched, the water flow ceases. By contrast, when the first dip switch is closed and the remaining three dip switches are open, then the microprocessor 24 will cause the low-signal dry-contact relay(s) 26, 27 to be activated and the solenoid valve(s) 13, 14 open, i.e., water is allowed to flow, until such time as the touch-sensitive pad 6 again comes into contact with a part of the human body. Water flow alternately will start and stop with each touch of the touch-sensitive pad 6.

The second, third, and fourth dip switches can be used to adjust the timing of the water flow, and can be programmed to accommodate different time intervals to meet user requirements. For example, the second dip switch could be programmed for one minute, the third for five minutes, and the fourth for ten minutes. The pre-programmed time interval for each of these three dip switches is activated by closing the applicable dip switch. For example, if the first dip switch is open and the second dip switch is closed, the water will remain running for at least 1 minute after the user contacts the touch-sensitive pad 6, regardless of whether the user touches the touch-sensitive pad 6 again. Similarly, if the first dip switch is open and the third dip switch is closed, the water will remain running for at least five minutes.

By different combinations of open and closed settings, the second, third, and fourth dip switches, in this example, would allow the time of water flow to be adjusted in intervals of 1, 5, 6, 10, 11, 15, and 16 minutes to suit the requirements of the user. The total time interval is the sum of the programmed times for each of the closed dip switches. For example, closing the second and third dip switch, but leaving the fourth open, will result in a six-minute interval.

If the first dip switch is closed while any of the other dip switches are closed, the user can cut off the flow of water by touching the touch-sensitive pad 6 a second time, thus shortening the time interval for the water flow established by the settings of the second, third, and fourth dip switches. Touching the touch-sensitive pad 6 again will initiate another full time interval for the water flow.

FIG. 3 presents electric diagram of one possible arrangement of a set of components regulating the voltage for the system, located on the switch circuit board 6. It illustrates how voltage from a 120-volt AC power source, by way of the split-winding step-down transformer 21, is reduced to six volts. It further reflects how a DC power source, which bypasses the split-winding transformer 21, may be used in lieu of AC power. Finally, it illustrates how the power from either source passes through the linear regulator 22 to ensure uniform output of 5 DC positive volts 43 to power the switch components.

An electric diagram of one embodiment of the switch and its components, as integrated with a touch-sensitive pad 6, appears as FIG. 4. This shows how a touch-sensitive pad 6 may be attached to the switch via a cable 28, such as an RG-174. In one embodiment, the components determining the frequency of the oscillator 25 comprise two resistors 40, 41 (R2 and R3), a capacitor 32 (C3), and the capacitance from the cable 23 and the touch-sensitive pad 6 itself. The diagram further illustrates the inter-relationship of the oscillator 25, the microprocessor 24, the dip switches 23, and two low-signal dry-contact relays 26, 27, one for each of two solenoid valves 13, 14 (not pictured in FIG. 4), and the contacts for the relays 44, 45, 46, 47 to which the voltage input leads 6, 7 and voltage output leads 8, 9 for the solenoid valves 13, 14 are connected. The use of low-signal dry-contact relays 26, 27 allows the system to handle any exterior voltage to power the solenoid valves 13, 14 and ensures longer life for the relay contacts 44, 45, 46, 47.

FIG. 5 illustrates the incorporation of the one or more solenoid valves 13, 14 and the switch circuit board 5 into an enclosure box 48. This feature facilitates the installation of the apparatus and system and protects the components inside it. By dividing the sensitive electronic components on the switch circuit board 5 and any high-voltage electric current from the components through which the water passes, the enclosure box 48 provides an added measure of safety, system integrity, and long life for the apparatus and system. The inclusion of one or more drainage outlets 56 in the form of holes, slots, or other suitable apertures provides a way for water to drain from the enclosure box 48 in the event of a leak and prevent water from a leak from seeping into the compartment of the enclosure box 48 housing the sensitive electronic components on the switch circuit board 5 and any high voltage AC current.

In FIG. 6, a lower lateral perspective of the enclosure box 48 is presented, highlighting drainage outlets 56. FIG. 7 is an overhead lateral perspective of the apparatus and system as it might be installed for use with a sink, showing how the touch-sensitive pad 6 might be positioned relative to the sink for the convenience of a user. Optionally, the apparatus and system may incorporate a water by-pass valve, reflected in FIG. 9, to allow water to circumvent the apparatus and system in the event the available sources of power for the system fail and the solenoid valves 13, 14 remain closed.

A lateral view of one possible arrangement of the components of the touch-sensitive pad 6 as mounted is illustrated in FIG. 8. The touch-sensitive pad 6 passes through a mounting surface 49. The touch-sensitive pad 6 is separated from the mounting surface 49, which could be one or more of any number of materials, such as ceramic, metal, or title, by suitable insulation 50, such as rubber. A flat metal washer 51 abuts the insulation 50 on the side of the mounting surface 49 opposite the touch-sensitive pad 6. A pressure metal washer 53 and holding nut 54 secure an electric connector 52 against the flat metal washer 51 and about a threaded bolt 55. The cable 28 is attached to the electric connector 52. The insulation 50 prevents the low voltage current of the apparatus and system from making contact with the mounting surface 49, and in addition, prevents the accumulation of soap, scum, residues, etc. between the touch-sensitive pad 6 and the mounting surface 49, which aids in preventing malfunctioning of the switch and foreshortened apparatus and system life. 

1. An apparatus and system for automatic activation and de-activation of water flow, comprising: One or more electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valves, each connectably interposed between a water inlet port and a water outlet port, and each of which, when energized, will open to activate the flow of water from its water inlet port to its water outlet port, and when de-energized, will close to de-activate the flow of water from said water inlet port to said water outlet port; One or more control circuits for actuating the one or more electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valves, said control circuits capable of being open and closed by means of one or more capacitance-sensitive electronic switches; One or more capacitance-sensitive electronic switches, each embedded on a circuit board, for opening and closing a control circuit, comprising one or more programmable microcontrollers each with at least two memory registers, one or more high-frequency, free-running, stable oscillators, one or more dip switches or similar timing control devices, and one or more low-signal dry-contact relays and associated relay contacts; One or more touch-sensitive pads that, upon coming in contact with a part of the human body, cause one or more of the one or more of the capacitance-sensitive electronic switches to open or close; Insulation for each of the one or more touch-sensitive pads to separate the one or more touch-sensitive pads from any mounting surfaces to which the one or more touch-sensitive pads may be affixed; and A means of regulating the voltage to the components of each of the capacitance-sensitive electronic switches that includes one or more split winding step-down transformers and one or more linear regulators.
 2. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the normally closed solenoid valves operate on AC current.
 3. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the normally closed solenoid valves operate on DC current.
 4. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the one or more programmable microcontrollers is programmed to reset and recalibrate the measured capacitance of the system periodically.
 5. The apparatus and system of claim 4 in which one or more of the one or more programmable microcontrollers is programmed to reset and recalibrate the measured capacitance of the system approximately once per hour.
 6. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which there are at least four dip switches and at least one microcontroller is programmed open one or more normally closed solenoid valves for so long as a touch-sensitive pad is in contact with a part of the human body when the first dip switch is the open position, irrespective of the positions of the remaining three dip switches, and when the first dip switch is in the closed position and the remaining three dip switches are in the open position, to open one or more normally closed solenoid valves from the time the touch-sensitive pad first comes into contact with a part of the human body until, and only until, the touch-sensitive pad comes into contact with a part of the human body again.
 7. The apparatus and system of claim 6 in which at least one microcontroller is programmed to assign a water flow time interval to one or more of the second and higher-numbered dip switches when said switches are in the closed position, such that when the first dip switch is in the closed position, and any other dip switches are in the closed position, the assigned time intervals of the closed second and higher-numbered dip switches will be summed and the one or more normally closed solenoid valves will remain open for the sum of those time intervals, or otherwise until such time as the touch-sensitive switch again comes into contact with a part of the human body.
 8. The apparatus and system of claim 7 in which at least one microcontroller is programmed to assign a water flow time interval of 1 minute to the second dip switch, a time interval of 5 minutes to the third dip switch, and a time interval of 10 minutes to the fourth dip switch.
 9. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the one or more touch-sensitive pads is made of stainless steel.
 10. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which the insulation for one or more of the one or more touch-sensitive pads is made of rubber.
 11. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which the insulation for one or more of the one or more touch-sensitive pads results in a ⅛ inch or greater separation between the touch-sensitive pad and the mounting surface for said pad.
 12. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the one or more the split winding step-down transformers is capable of accepting AC current of either 120 or 240 volts and reducing said AC current to 6 volts.
 13. The apparatus and system of claim 1 in which one or more of the one or more linear regulators converts incoming voltage between 6 volts and 30 volts to 5 DC positive volts.
 14. The apparatus and system of claim 1, further comprising a means by which water from a water inlet port may be made to bypass the one or more normally closed solenoid valves, said means to include one or more pipes through which the water may flow, T-connectors to divert water from a water inlet port into said one or more pipes and then into a water outlet port, and one or more ¼-turn ball valves to activate or de-activate the flow of water through the pipe to bypass the one or more normally closed solenoid valves. 